Method and apparatus to stimulate the immune system of a biological entity

ABSTRACT

A system and method for stimulating the immune systems of biological entities in an environment. Pulsed electrical currents are generated using an electric current generator. The pulsed electrical currents are fed through an arrangement of electrically conductive material such that magnetic energy is emitted from the arrangement into the environment. The arrangement of electrically conductive material is designed such that an intensity of the emitted magnetic energy varies across at least one spatial dimension of the environment. Certain embodiments of the arrangement, which have width-to-length ratios of approximately 0.6, tend to provide variations in the intensity of the magnetic energy field which are very good for stimulating the immune systems of the biological entities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This U.S. patent application is a division of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/038,781 filed on Jan. 19, 2005, which is acontinuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/114,656 filed on Apr. 2, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,521 issued onJun. 7, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/281,203 filed Apr. 3, 2001, all three of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to stimulating theimmune system of biological entities. More particularly, certainembodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method tostimulate the immune system of biological entities moving in anenvironment through application of pulsed magnetic energy.

BACKGROUND

Use of magnetic energy to increase physiological performance oforganisms has long been attempted. However, many of these techniqueshave been limited to belts, pads or mats which apply magnetic orelectromagnetic energy to the person or other organism. Problemsinherent in these techniques include the necessity for the organism towear the belt or pad, and the necessity for a portable power source inorder to generate magnetic energy. Furthermore, these techniques do noteffect the environment surrounding the organism. Accordingly, there is ademand for an apparatus and method of applying pulsed magnetic energy toan organism (i.e., a biological entity) and its surrounding environmentthat is without the aforementioned disadvantages.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, andproposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems and methods with the presentinvention as set forth in the remainder of the present application withreference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a system forstimulating immune systems of living biological entities in anenvironment. The system comprises at least one electric currentgenerator providing a source of pulsed electrical current. The systemfurther comprises at least one continuous coil of electricallyconductive material having a first end and a second end, both of theends being connected to the at least one generator to form a closedcircuit such that the at least one coil emits a spatially non-uniformpulsed magnetic field into the environment in response to the pulsedelectrical current to stimulate the immune systems as the biologicalentities move within the environment. Also, a configuration of the atleast one coil comprises a plurality of turns of the conductive materialin substantially a single spatial plane, and wherein the coil has anoverall width-to-length ratio of between 0.4 and 0.8.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a system forstimulating immune systems of biological entities in an environment. Thesystem comprises at least one electric current generator providing asource of pulsed electrical current. The system further comprises atleast one arrangement of electrically conductive material having a firstend and a second end, both of the ends being connected to the at leastone generator to form a closed circuit such that the at least onearrangement emits a spatially non-uniform pulsed magnetic field into theenvironment in response to the pulsed electrical current to stimulatethe immune systems as the biological entities move within theenvironment. Also, a configuration of the at least one arrangementcomprises a plurality of substantially parallel segments of theconductive material forming a flat, substantially rectangular gridhaving an overall width-to-length ratio of between 0.4 and 0.8.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a method forstimulating immune systems of living biological entities in anenvironment. The method comprises positioning at least one arrangementof electrically conductive material below a surface of the environmentand connecting the at least one arrangement of electrically conductivematerial to at least one electric current generator to form a closedcircuit through the arrangement. The method further comprises generatinga pulsed electrical current with the generator such that the pulsedelectrical current propagates through the arrangement from a first endof the arrangement to a second end of the arrangement. The arrangementemits pulsed magnetic energy into the environment in response to thepulsed electrical current such that an intensity of the pulsed magneticenergy is non-uniform across at least one spatial dimension of thearrangement to stimulate the immune systems as the biological entitiesmove within the environment.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a system forstimulating the immune systems of biological entities in an environment.The system comprises at least one electric current generator providing asource of pulsed electrical current. The system further comprises atleast one continuous coil of electrically conductive material having afirst end and a second end where both ends are connected to thegenerator to form a closed circuit such that the coil emits a spatiallynon-uniform pulsed magnetic field into the environment in response tothe pulsed electrical current to stimulate the immune systems as thebiological entities move within the environment. A configuration of thecoil includes a plurality of parallel straight segments of theconductive material, being substantially of the same length, and aplurality of curved segments of the conductive material. The continuouscoil spirals outward from a central position of the coil insubstantially a single spatial plane.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes a system forstimulating the immune systems of biological entities in an environment.The system comprises at least one electric current generator providing asource of pulsed electrical current. The system further comprises atleast one continuous coil of electrically conductive material having afirst end and a second end where both ends are connected to thegenerator to form a closed circuit such that the coil emits a spatiallynon-uniform pulsed magnetic field into the environment in response tothe pulsed electrical current to stimulate the immune systems as thebiological entities move within the environment. A configuration of thecoil comprises a first plurality of parallel straight segments of theconductive material and a second plurality of parallel straight segmentsof the conductive material being substantially perpendicular to thefirst plurality of segments. The continuous coil winds outward from acentral position of the coil in substantially a single spatial plane.

These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of illustrated embodiments thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a system for applyingpulsed magnetic energy to an aquatic environment, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a flat coil used togenerate magnetic energy, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate various views of an embodiment of the flat coilof FIG. 2, clearly showing the spacing between the coil turns, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary simulated graph of how a magnetic fieldintensity generated by the coil of FIG. 2 may be expected to varynon-linearly across a spatial dimension of the coil of FIG. 2, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary graph of measured data of how a magneticfield intensity generated by the coil of FIGS. 3A-3C varies across threespatial dimensions of the coil of FIGS. 3A-3C, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method to stimulate immunesystems of biological entities in an environment, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a flat coil used togenerate magnetic energy, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a system forapplying pulsed magnetic energy to a stock pen environment, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of a system for applyingpulsed magnetic energy to a garden environment, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of a system forapplying pulsed magnetic energy to a sports environment, in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a fifth exemplary embodiment of a system forapplying pulsed magnetic energy to a golf course environment, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary resultant current pulses that may beproduced in the coil of FIG. 2 when applying an exemplary DC pulsedvoltage waveform to the coil of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary resultant current pulses produced in thecoil of FIGS. 3A-3C when applying an exemplary DC pulsed voltagewaveform to the coil of FIGS. 3A-3C, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a system for applyingpulsed magnetic energy to an aquatic environment, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. Shown generally at 10, theembodiment of FIG. 1 includes a water reservoir 12, such as an aquarium,a pool, a pond or some other body of water. Below water reservoir 12 isplaced electric wiring 16. In FIG. 1 electric wiring 16 is shown as acontinuous coil of wiring, originating from the electric currentgenerator 14 at a first end 17 and connecting back to the electriccurrent generator 14 at a second end 19 to form a closed circuit. Theelectrical wiring 16 is placed over a substantial area of the waterreservoir 12, at 1 to 30 inches below the bottom surface of the waterreservoir 12, and is insulated from the surrounding elements and crosscurrents from other cables that may be present. If the water reservoir12 has sides, such as in a pool, electric wiring 16 can also be placedbehind the surface of the sides of reservoir 12. Electric wiring 16 isinsulated by neutral materials, such as plastics, that will insulate theelectric wiring 16, yet not produce a significant charge in thesurrounding soil or substance. The electric wiring may be coated with aninsulating material or may be placed in a non-conductive conduit, forexample. Further, highly shielded electrical wire (e.g., using aconductive shield) is not desired as it decreases the capacity ofdiffusion of the pulsed magnetic energy into the aquatic environment. Apulsed DC voltage waveform is supplied to the electric wiring 16, and iscontrolled by the electric current generator 14. Pulsed current suppliedby the generator 14 propagates from a first end 17 of the coil 16 to asecond end 19 of the coil 16 in a closed loop in response to the pulsedDC voltage waveform. That is, both ends 17 and 19 of the coil 16 areconnected to output terminals of the generator 14. Alternatively, pulsedcurrent supplied by the generator 14 may propagate from the second end19 to the first end 17.

Optionally, an air pump 18 and perforated air hose 20 may be included inthe system embodied in FIG. 1. Air pump 18 and air hose 20 provide anoxygen source to the water within reservoir 12, thus, aerating the waterand increasing the oxygen concentration of the water.

In use, pulsed electrical current is applied to the electric wiring 16by an electric current generator 14. Various electronic components maybe utilized to generate electric current for use in this system and mayinclude a computer controlled subsystem, for example, to control theintensity and pulsed frequency of the emitted magnetic energy. Anelectric current generator typically includes a power transformer, arectifier and filter circuit, and an electronic switching circuit. Forexample, an electric current generator may be plugged into a 240 VACsingle phase power source and output a pulsed DC voltage waveform havinga maximum peak amplitude of, for example, 80 VDC.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the magneticenergy emitted from the wiring 16 has magnetic field components in therange of about 0.5 to 30 Gauss, and the frequency range of the pulses isbetween 0.5 and 30 Hertz. Concurrently, air pump 18 pumps air throughhose 20 to increase the oxygen concentration of the water. The water infree motion around the air bubbles is energized to a higher statebecause of the application of the pulsed magnetic energy, and thus maybecome even more saturated with oxygen.

Application of the magnetic energy to the reservoir 12 provides forapplication of magnetic energy to both plants and animals (i.e.,biological entities) situated within the aquatic system. The affectedplants and animals exhibit enhanced physiologic effects such asincreased growth and overall health, for example, due to stimulation ofthe immune systems of the plants and animals. Furthermore, the highlyoxygenated and energized water can then be utilized for watering plantswhich may not be directly exposed to the magnetic energy.

Electric current flows in a wire when a potential difference (i.e., avoltage) is applied across both ends of the wire. When electric currentflows through a wire, a magnetic field is set up or emanates from thewire. If the wire is arranged in a coiled or grid-like configuration,for example, the magnetic fields from the various turns of the coil maycombine constructively and destructively to form a spatially non-uniformmagnetic field profile.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a flat coil 200 used togenerate magnetic energy, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The coil is a continuous coil of electricallyconductive material (e.g., copper wire) having a first end 201 and asecond end 202. Both ends 201 and 202 are connected to at least onegenerator (e.g. generator 14 in FIG. 1) to form a closed circuit. Thegenerator creates a pulsed voltage waveform (e.g., a DC pulsed waveform)that results in pulsed electrical currents that propagate through thecoil 200 from the first end 201 to the second end 202 (or vice versa).

When the current pulses propagate through the coil 200, magnetic energyis emitted from the coil in the form of a pulsed magnetic field. Whenthe coil is placed in an environment such as, for example, a swimmingpool, a livestock yard, a garden, orchards, an athletic ground, a playground, a pond, a lake, a whirl pool, a hot tub, or an aquarium, themagnetic energy is dispersed into the environment. The magnetic energytends to stimulate the immune systems of biological entities (e.g.,plants, animals, and humans) that are moving within the environment.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, aconfiguration of the coil 200 comprises a plurality of spiraling turnsof a conductive material such as, for example, copper wire. Thespiraling turns do not necessarily follow a strictly mathematicalspiral, but rather, the turns spiral at least in the sense that theturns wrap around on each other from the inside (i.e., from a centralposition 203 of the coil 200) to the outside of the coil 200. Theconfiguration forms a flat, substantially oval surface having awidth-to-length ratio of between 0.4 and 0.8. Ideally, thewidth-to-length ratio is 0.618 which is the “golden mean” ratio found inmany instances of nature. For example, the width-to-length ratio of thecoil 200 shown in FIG. 2 is 84.1232 inches divided by 156 inches whichis a ratio of 0.539. The coil 200 of FIG. 2 has approximately 37 turnsspaced at approximately 1 inch separation. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the coil 200 comprises 8 Gage solidcopper wire having a resistance of about 0.6 ohms per 1000 feet.

The configuration of the coil 200 includes a plurality of parallelstraight segments 210 of insulated copper wire being of substantiallythe same length, and a plurality of curved segment of insulated copperwire 220. The segments 210 and 220 are not discrete in the sense thatthey must be connected to form the coil 200. Instead, the coil 200 is acontinuous piece of copper wire. However, in an alternative embodimentthe coil 200 could be made from discrete segments that are connectedtogether by, for example, welding or soldering. The configuration of thecoil 200 is such that the plurality of turns of the coil aresubstantially in a single spatial plane, which gives the coil 200 itsflat shape.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2, the coil emits a magneticfield at least perpendicular to the surface of the coil (i.e., out ofthe page of FIG. 2). The intensity of the magnetic field varies (i.e.,is non-uniform) across the coil 200, in a spatial dimension which isparallel to the surface of the coil 200. The variation may benon-linear, in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention. Therefore, as a biological entity moves within theenvironment in which the coil 200 is placed, the biological entityexperiences the variations of the magnetic field. The variationsstimulate the immune system of the biological entity. Typically, thecoil 200 is insulated using a non-conducting material such as a plastic,to prevent direct conduction of the electrical currents into thesurrounding environment.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate various views of an embodiment of the flat coil200 of FIG. 2, clearly showing the spacing between the coil turns, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. The coil 200shown in FIG. 3A is mounted on a surface 310 (e.g., a plywood board)using plastic clips to secure the wiring of the coil 200. FIG. 3B showsa curved section of the coil 200 with the spacing 320 between the curvedsegments being about one inch. FIG. 3C shows a straight section of thecoil 200 with the spacing 330 between the straight and parallel segmentsbeing about one inch.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary simulated graph 400 of how a magneticfield intensity B_(m) 401 generated by the coil 200 of FIG. 2 may beexpected to vary non-linearly across a spatial dimension 402 of the coilof FIG. 2 (distance across coil), in accordance with various aspects ofthe present invention. The peak magnetic intensity 403 occurs at thecenter of the coil 200. It is the configuration of the coil (e.g.,shape, dimensions, spacing) that largely determines the shape of thespatially non-uniform magnetic field intensity. For example, the graph400 of FIG. 4 may represent the variation in magnetic field intensityB_(m) across the width dimension 240 of the coil 200 and through a firstcenter axis 250 of the coil 200 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary graph 500 of measured data of how amagnetic field intensity 501 generated by the coil 200 of FIGS. 3A-3Cvaries across three spatial dimensions of the coil 200 of FIGS. 3A-3C,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The dataset 510 shows the variation in measured magnetic field intensity above(e.g., 18 inches) the coil 200 and across the length dimension 260 ofthe coil 200 along the axis 265 which includes the physical center point205 of the coil 200 (see FIG. 2). The coil center 540 is shown on thedistance axis 550 in FIG. 5.

The data set 520 shows the variation in measured magnetic fieldintensity above (e.g., 18 inches) above the coil 200 and across thewidth dimension 240 of the coil 200 along the axis 250 which includesthe physical center point 205 of the coil 200. The data set 530 showsthe variation in measured magnetic field intensity above (e.g., 18inches) the coil 200 and across a diagonal dimension of the coil 200along the axis 270 which includes the physical center 205 of the coil200.

The direction of the magnetic field intensities 510, 520, and 530 shownin the graph 500 is perpendicular to the flat surface of the coil 200.The absolute magnitude of the magnetic field intensities is a functionof distance away from the surface or plane of the coil. In general, themagnetic field intensity decreases at points further away from thesurface or plane of the coil. Notice that the magnetic field intensity560 at the physical center of the coil is the same for all three datasets 510, 520, and 530 since the center corresponds to the same physicalpoint in all three cases.

For example, if the coil 200 is placed flat and just beneath the bottomsurface of a swimming pool (e.g., 1 to 30 inches), the magnetic fieldintensity 501 of the data sets 510, 520, and 530 will emanate above thecoil into the water of the pool. As a swimmer swims through the poolacross the coil (e.g., parallel to the surface of the coil), the swimmerwill experience the magnetic variations of the magnetic field generatedby the coil which stimulate the swimmer's immune system. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic field is apulsed magnetic field having a pulsed frequency of between 0.5 and 30Hertz, and the intensity of the magnetic fields 510, 520, and 530 at apredetermined distance from the surface of the coil (e.g., 18 inches)vary through a range of about 0.5 to 30 Gauss across at least onespatial dimension of the coil 200. The electric current generator maycomprise a programmable subsystem (e.g., a programmable logic controlleror a computer-based subsystem such as a personal computer) which maycontrol the frequency and intensity of the current pulses and,therefore, of the magnetic energy pulses.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 600 to stimulateimmune systems of biological entities in an environment, in accordancewith various aspects of the present invention. In step 610, at least onearrangement of electrically conductive material is positioned below asurface of an environment (for example, referring to FIG. 1, the coil 16is positioned below the surface of the aquatic environment 12). In step620, the at least one arrangement of electrically conductive material isconnected to at least one electric current generator to form a closedcircuit through the arrangement (for example, referring to FIG. 1, theends 17 and 19 of the coil 16 are connected to electric terminals of thegenerator 14). In step 630, a pulsed electrical current is generatedwith the generator such that the pulsed electrical current propagatesthrough the arrangement from a first end (e.g., end 19 in FIG. 1) of thearrangement to a second end (e.g., end 17 in FIG. 1) of the arrangement,and wherein the arrangement emits pulsed magnetic energy into theenvironment in response to the pulsed electrical current such that anintensity of the pulsed magnetic energy is non-uniform across at leastone spatial dimension of the arrangement (e.g., see the non-uniformmagnetic fields of FIGS. 4 and 5) to stimulate the immune systems as thebiological entities move within the environment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a flat coil 700 usedto generate magnetic energy, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The coil 700 has a first end 701 and a second end 702and comprises a first plurality of vertically oriented, parallelstraight segments 710 of conductive wire and a second plurality 720 ofhorizontally oriented, parallel straight segments 720 of conductive wirewhich are substantially perpendicular to the first plurality ofsegments. The coil 700 is a continuous wire, winding outward from acentral position 730 of the coil 700 in substantially a single spatialplane forming a flat, rectangular coil (i.e., a coil forming a flat,rectangular surface). The coil 700 of FIG. 7 is similar to the coil 200of FIG. 2 except the curved segments of FIG. 2 are replaced with thestraight segments 720 of FIG. 7 and the straight segments 710 are notall of the same length.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a second exemplary embodiment asystem of the present invention, illustrating the application of pulsedmagnetic energy to livestock animal pens. In this second embodiment,there is a stock pen 830 which can be used to retain any type oflivestock animal or poultry. Further, it should be understood that sucha stock pen can be enclosed in buildings or open fields. Electricalwiring 820 extends below the surface and laterally across first stockpen 830 to cover at least a substantial area of stock pen 830. Theconfiguration of the electrical wiring 820 includes a plurality ofsubstantially parallel segments of conductive material (e.g., segmentsof wiring) forming a flat, substantially rectangular grid. As in thefirst embodiment 10 of FIG. 1, electrical wiring 820 is comprised ofelectrical wiring having neutral insulating materials, and is placedunder the surface of the selected area at a preferred depth of 1 to 30inches. Electric current generator 810 generates and transmits pulsedelectric currents through electric wiring 820. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the width-to-length ratio of thesubstantially rectangular grid is between 0.4 and 0.8.

Optionally, this system may also include a water tank 840 for thewatering of the animals. An air pump 850 may be used to pump air intothe water tank 840 through hose 860. Aeration of water tank 840 by pump850 increases the oxygen concentration of the water held within watertank 840.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the electrical wiring 820 forms a type ofhorizontal grid configuration across the stock pen 830. Pulsed currentflows from the generator 810 through the various branches of the grid ofwiring 820 and back to the generator 810, emitting pulsed magneticenergy (i.e., magnetic fields) into the environment of the stock pen830. If the stockyard is enclosed, the electric wiring is buried at adepth between 1 and 30 inches within the dirt or other flooringmaterial, such as concrete, for example. Again, a spatially non-uniformmagnetic field is generated across the grid. However, the non-uniformitymay be substantially different from that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 duelargely to the different configuration of the wiring 820 from that ofthe coil 200 of FIG. 2. However, a coil of the configuration of that ofFIG. 1 or FIG. 2, or other configurations, could be used in thestockyard environment instead.

Now referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a third exemplary embodiment ofa system of the present invention illustrating the application of pulsedmagnetic energy to a plant bio-system 900, such as a garden. The plantbased bio-system may include, for example, a grain plot 910, fruit orother trees 920, plants 930 and/or flowers 940. The plants may either begrown within the ground itself or within planting containers such aspots and the like. The environment 900 may optionally also include awater reservoir 950, which is aerated by hose 960 and air pump 970 toincrease the oxygen concentration of the water held within reservoir950. Pulsed magnetic energy is generated by an electric currentgenerator 980 applying pulsed currents to electric wiring grid 990.Electric wiring grid 990 is positioned to cover at least a substantialportion of environment 900, and is placed below the surface ofenvironment 900, at a depth of 1 to 30 inches. The plants affected bythe application of the pulsed magnetic energy exhibit improvedphysiological effects such as improved and more rapid growth, and betteroverall health for example.

Shown in FIG. 10 is yet another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating applying magnetic energy to an athletic playingsurface 1000, such as, for example a basketball court, a football field,a soccer field, a swimming pool, playgrounds or other playing surfaces.Electrical wiring 1010 is placed below playing surface 1000 at apreferred depth of between 1 and 30 inches. Electrical current generator1020 generates and conducts electrical currents through electric wiring1010 to create and diffuse the resultant magnetic energy throughoutplaying surface 1000. The magnetic energy is applied to those personsplaying or competing on playing surface 1000. Upon application of themagnetic energy, humans may experience higher energy levels for longerperiods of time, reduced fatigue, less muscle strain and soreness, inaddition to increased concentration and precision in playing theparticular sport.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown yet another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, illustrating application ofmagnetic energy to a golf course hole. This embodiment includes a teebox 1110, a green 1120 and/or optionally a water reservoir 1130. Belowtee box 1110 is placed electrical wiring 1140, which is placed at adepth of 1 to 30 inches. Electrical wiring 1150 is also placed belowgolf green 1120 at a preferred depth of 1 to 30 inches. If waterreservoir 1130 is used, electrical wiring 1160 is positioned below thebottom of reservoir 1130 at a depth of 1 to 30 inches for emission ofmagnetic energy. Air pump 1195 and air hose 1196 may optionally be usedto pump air into the water reservoir 1130 to increase the oxygencontent. Treated water from reservoir 1130 may be used to water the golfcourse fairways, greens, or other plants associated with the course asto achieve the benefits as described above in relation to the plantbased bio-system embodiment. Electric current generators 1170, 1180 and1190 produce pulsed electric currents such that magnetic energy isemitted from electrical wiring 1140, 1160, and 1150 respectively.Optionally, a single generator can control the emission of magneticenergy from electrical wiring 1140, 1160, and 1150. As with the abovedescribed embodiments, electric current generators 1170, 1180 and 1190cause magnetic energy to be emitted having magnetic field componentsabout in the range of 0.5 to 30 Gauss, and the frequency range of thepulses is between 0.5 and 30 Hertz.

Effects seen through application of the pulsed magnetic energy to agrass surfaces such as soccer fields, play grounds, football fields,golf greens and tee boxes include more rapid and healthier growth ofgrass, faster regeneration or repair of divots and ball marks, fewerattacks to these grasses by pests as the grasses are healthier. Thehuman players experience gentle invigoration, increased energy, greaterconcentration, and less muscle soreness or strain. Increased mentalactivity and faster healing of wounds has also been noted. Sportingequipment such as golf clubs are not affected by the application ofmagnetic energy because no sustained electrical current is conducted tothe metal portions of the clubs.

In use with any of the above embodiments, the characteristics of themagnetic energy remain the same, that is the magnetic energy havingmagnetic field components about in the range of 0.5 to 30 Gauss, and thefrequency range of the pulses between 0.5 and 30 Hertz. In applicationof pulsed magnetic energy to humans, the magnetic field strength may beadjusted to vary between 4 to 8 Gauss. The placement of the electricalwiring below the surface of the selected area is adjusted to accommodatethese parameters. Further, it is important to note that the spacing andarrangement of the electric wiring in the above described embodimentsmay be altered to achieve certain desired effects.

FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary resultant current pulses 1210 and 1220that may be produced in the coil 200 of FIG. 2 when applying anexemplary DC pulsed voltage waveform 1230 to the coil 200 of FIG. 2, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pulsedvoltage waveform 1230 shown in FIG. 12 is a square voltage waveformhaving a 50% duty cycle. Other duty cycles are possible as well, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The pulsedvoltage waveform 1230 is applied to the coil 200 by a generator (e.g.,generator 14 of FIG. 1).

The frequency of the pulsed voltage waveform 1230 may be, for example,anywhere between 0.1 Hz and 30 Hz. Depending on the various parameters(e.g., the voltage level, the time constant, the pulsed frequency, etc.)of the system, the resultant pulsed current waveform in the coil maylook like that of waveform 1210. Referring to the pulsed currentwaveform 1210, as the voltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform 1230increases, the current level in the coil will begin to increase as seenin the segment 1211 of the pulsed current waveform 1210. The curvednature of the rising current level of the segment 1211 is due, at leastin part, to the time constant of the system (including the coil) whichis determined by inductive, capacitive, and resistive factors of thesystem. In the pulsed current waveform 1210, the current level risescontinuously until the voltage level of the driving pulsed voltagewaveform drops off.

When the voltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform 1230 decreases,the current level in the coil will begin to decrease as seen in thesegment 1212 of the pulsed current waveform 1210. Again, the curvednature of the falling current level of the segment 1212 is due, at leastin part, to the time constant of the system. In the pulsed currentwaveform 1210, the current level decreases continuously until thevoltage level of the driving pulsed voltage waveform again rises. Forexample, the peak voltage level of the DC pulsed voltage waveform 1230may be 80 VDC and the resultant peak current level of the pulsed currentwaveform 1210 may be 100 amps.

Referring to the pulsed current waveform 1220, as the voltage level ofthe pulsed voltage waveform 1230 increases, the current level in thecoil will begin to increase as seen in the segment 1221 of the pulsedcurrent waveform 1220. Again, the curved nature of the rising currentlevel of the segment 1221 is due, at least in part, to the time constantof the system. In the pulsed current waveform 1220, the current levelrises and then flattens off to a peak current level 1222 well before thevoltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform drops off. This flatteningoff tends to occur when the peak voltage level 1231 is relatively low.The lower peak voltage level 1231 means that the current will not buildto as high a level as it would with a higher peak voltage level drivingthe coil. Therefore, the pulsed current waveform 1220 reaches its peaklevel sooner and stays there.

When the voltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform 1230 decreases,the current level in the coil will begin to decrease as seen in thesegment 1223 of the pulsed current waveform 1220. Again, the curvednature of the falling current level of the segment 1223 is due, at leastin part, to the time constant of the system. In the pulsed currentwaveform 1220, the current level decreases to a zero current level 1224well before the voltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform increasesagain. Again, this flattening off tends to occur when the peak voltagelevel 1231 is relatively low. That is, the current level does not haveas far to fall since the peak current level was relatively low.Therefore, the current level reaches zero sooner and flattens off. Forexample, the peak voltage level of the DC pulsed voltage waveform 1230may be 20 VDC and the resultant peak current level of the pulsed currentwaveform 1210 may be 10 amps.

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary resultant current pulses 1310 produced inthe coil 200 of FIGS. 3A-3C when applying an exemplary DC pulsed voltagewaveform 1320 to the coil 200 of FIGS. 3A-3C, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The pulsed voltage waveform 1320shown in FIG. 13 is a pseudo-square voltage waveform having a 50% dutycycle. Other duty cycles are possible as well, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention. The pulsed voltagewaveform 1320 tends to droop over the segment 1330 due to the load thecoil provides to the generator. Therefore, the pulsed voltage waveform1320 is not perfectly square.

The frequency of the pulsed voltage waveform 1320 may be, for example,anywhere between 0.1 Hz and 30 Hz. Depending on the various parameters(e.g., the voltage level, the time constant, the pulsed frequency, etc.)of the system, the resultant pulsed current waveform in the coil maylook like that of waveform 1310. Referring to the pulsed currentwaveform 1310, as the voltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform 1320increases, the current level in the coil will begin to increase as seenin the segment 1311 of the pulsed current waveform 1310. The curvednature of the rising current level of the segment 1311 is due, at leastin part, to the time constant of the system (including the coil) whichis determined by inductive, capacitive, and resistive factors of thesystem. In the pulsed current waveform 1310, the current level risescontinuously until the voltage level of the driving pulsed voltagewaveform begins to droop. There is a time delay, however, between whenthe voltage level begins to droop and when the current level begins todecrease slightly over the segment 1312.

When the voltage level of the pulsed voltage waveform 1320 drops off,the current level in the coil will begin to decrease as seen in thesegment 1313 of the pulsed current waveform 1310. Again, the curvednature of the falling current level of the segment 1313 is due, at leastin part, to the time constant of the system. In the pulsed currentwaveform 1310, the current level decreases continuously until thevoltage level of the driving pulsed voltage waveform again rises.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, thesystems described herein may be used by incrementing and/or decrementingthe pulsed frequency over time. For example, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the pulsed frequency may start at0.5 Hz and be incremented every one minute by 0.5 Hz until reaching 28Hz. Then the pulsed frequency may be decremented from 28 Hz back down to0.5 Hz at a frequency step of 0.5 Hz every minute. Other methods ofvarying the pulsed frequency over time are possible as well and may betailored to certain physiological conditions to be treated bystimulating the immune system.

In summary, a method and systems are disclosed for stimulating theimmune systems of biological entities in an environment. A magneticenergy field is generated such that the magnetic energy field variesnon-uniformly in intensity across at least one spatial dimension of theenvironment. The magnetic energy field is generated using an electriccurrent generator which is connected to a coil or other alternatearrangement of conductive material such as wire. The coil or arrangementis typically placed beneath a surface of the environment. The magneticenergy field is pulsed at a predetermined frequency.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A system for stimulating immune systems of biological entities in anenvironment, said system comprising: at least one electric currentgenerator providing a source of pulsed electrical current; and at leastone arrangement of electrically conductive material having a first endand a second end, both of said ends being connected to said at least onegenerator to form a closed circuit such that said at least onearrangement emits a spatially non-uniform pulsed magnetic field intosaid environment in response to said pulsed electrical current tostimulate said immune systems as said biological entities move withinsaid environment, and wherein a configuration of said at least onearrangement comprises a plurality of substantially parallel segments ofsaid conductive material forming a flat, substantially rectangular gridhaving an overall width-to-length ratio of between 0.4 and 0.8.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said biological entities include at least oneof humans, animals, and plants.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein anintensity of said magnetic field varies non-linearly across at least onespatial dimension of said rectangular grid, said at least one spatialdimension being parallel to a spatial plane containing said segments ofsaid rectangular grid.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said intensityof said magnetic field varies through a range of about 0.5 to 30 Gaussacross said at least one spatial dimension at a predetermined distancefrom said spatial plane.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein a pulsefrequency of said pulsed magnetic field is in a range of 0.5 to 30Hertz.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said pulse frequency inincremented and/or decremented over time.
 7. The system of claim 1wherein said at least one arrangement is positioned at a depth ofbetween 1.0 and 30 inches below a surface of said environment.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said environment is selected from a groupconsisting of livestock yards, gardens, orchards, athletic grounds, andplay grounds.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein said environment isselected from a group consisting of ponds, lakes, swimming pools, whirlpools, hot tubs, and aquariums.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein saidat least one arrangement of electrically conductive material isinsulated by a non-conductive material.
 11. The system of claim 1wherein said at least one electric current generator comprises aprogrammable subsystem which may be programmed to control at least anintensity and a pulsed frequency of said electrical current.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said width-to-length ratio is approximately0.6.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein a maximum intensity of saidspatially non-uniform pulsed magnetic field occurs approximately at acenter of said coil.
 14. The system of claim 5 wherein a duty cycle ofsaid pulse frequency is approximately 50%.